Category: Education

Update on June 29th, 2021: Our collective efforts to oppose and veto HB21-1317 have failed. Governor Polis signed the bill and now our friends at Cannabis Clinicians Colorado and Buscher Law are suing the State to stop this bill from becoming law. This must happen so that we can prevent HB21-1317 from ending medical cannabis. 

There is still time, but we need your action NOW. 

How?

You can still sign the veto request. 

Buscher Law is writing and filing this lawsuit and your letters are needed on how HB21-1317 will impact your practice or impact your healthcare. Please send your letters to info@realmofcaring.org as quickly as possible, there is no time to waste.

For more information, read the damaging impacts this bill will have below. 

Update on June 8th, 2021: On Friday, May 14th a bipartisan bill was introduced in the Colorado House to more strictly regulate high-potency THC products, imposing barriers to access for medical consumers as well as negatively affecting recreational buyers and cannabis businesses in Colorado. The proposed requirements aim to further regulate the legal purchase and sale of THC products, with damaging language that unfairly targets medical cannabis patients in the state. Members of the Colorado State Senate approved this legislation on June 3rd, 2021. The bill now will return to the House for a concurrence vote before advancing to the desk of Governor Polis. 

As an example to how these requirements would affect one, a medical cannabis patient in Colorado who is 20 years old would need four, in-person doctor visits per year who will need to assess the patient’s mental health history (in addition to physical health) prior to approval. Once this patient is approved for their card, they will only be allowed to purchase 2 grams of a concentrate product per day and their personal information would be tracked to ensure they do not “dispensary hop”. 

House Speaker Alex Garnett, a co-sponsor of this bill with Representative Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) has discussed combining this bill with an existing November ballot initiative seeking an additional tax on all recreational cannabis products sold in Colorado. 

HB21-1317 proposes:

• That The Colorado School of Public Health shall conduct a report of “High-Potency THC marijuana and marijuana concentrate research”. The research is to study the “effect of high-potency THC marijuana on the developing brain and the effect of marijuana concentrates on physical and mental health” by systematically curating and synthesizing existing research as well as identify evidence gaps and new research that is needed. The purpose is to find “sufficient scientific evidence to make a recommendation regarding appropriate regulatory measures”. 
• To limit concentrate purchases for medical and recreational consumers to 8 grams per day. Unless the patient is 18-20 years old, then their limit is 2 grams per day.
• Starting a new statewide tracking system to ensure that medical marijuana patients do not “dispensary hop” and buy their maximum allowed purchase amounts at multiple sites in the same day. 
• Medical cannabis concentrate and retail cannabis concentrate must be sold in a package containing one gram, separated into no less than 10, equally-portioned amounts. 
• Doctor’s who recommend medical cannabis must conduct a full assessment of their patients’ mental health history in addition to their physical health history. 
• Medical patients 18-20 years old would need two in-person visits every 6 months with doctors who diagnose them as “having a debilitating or disabling medical condition”. 
• Practitioners who make a medical cannabis authorization must include in their certification:
  • The date of issue and effective date of recommendation
  • The patient’s name and address
  • The recommending physician’s name, address, and federal drug enforcement agency number
  • The THC potency level recommended
  • The dosage form
  • The daily authorized quantity 
  • Directions for use
  • The recommending physician’s signature 
• That the Department of Public Health and Environment create a report from emergency room and hospital discharge data of patients who show conditions or a diagnosis that reflects cannabis use. 

Take action now! Click the following link to oppose HB21-1317!

Send a message to your lawmakers in opposition of this effort with The Action Network. 

What are Seasonal Allergies?

Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system responds to foreign material, aka an allergen. That may be something you ingest, inhale, inject into your bloodstream, or come into contact with. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, allergies are the 6th leading reason behind chronic illness in the U.S. 

Seasonal allergies, in particular, which are more famously known as hay fever, are one of the most common kinds of allergies around. Hay fever is the immune system’s reaction to air saturated with pollen from wind-pollinated plants like trees, grasses, and weeds. Sneezing, stuffy nose, watery eyes, itchy sinuses, throat or ear canals, ear inflammation, and postnasal discharge are among the most frequent symptoms which vary in severity. Headaches, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing can also occur.

Current Treatment of Seasonal Allergies

Despite allergies being so common amongst the world’s population, there is no absolute cure. Allergies, or ‘allergic rhinitis’, are mainly managed by avoiding triggers and relieving symptoms. For example, steering clear of cigarette smoke and pollen. People do so by using HEPA filters in their air conditioning instead of fans in the spring and summer. Another practice is staying home when pollen counts are high and closing windows.

Other medical options include prescription drugs and over-the-counter decongestants, and antihistamines, such as Zyrtec and Benadryl. Sometimes allergy shots are prescribed in extreme cases. But most allergy drugs have nasty side effects like dizziness and confusion. Another alternative has come up without any noticeable side effects which has been revealed to be CBD oil.

CBD as Allergies Symptoms Reliever 

Cannabidiol, or CBD, an active ingredient derived from the hemp plant, is receiving more attention as people become more aware of the medicinal benefits of cannabis. CBD oil has very low amounts of THC, so it won’t get you high. However, while CBD research is still in its initial phases, some studies show promising results on possible health benefits, including chronic pain management, stress relief and combating reactions to allergens.

A study published in 2005 revealed that CBD has immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties across cells of the respiratory system. So it may function as a natural antihistamine. CBD and other anti-inflammatories can help to manage some of the more severe reactions and alleviate symptoms such as inflammation around the nose, throat, and mouth. It can be ingested through tinctures/oils, vaping, edibles, or capsules to avoid any irritation. 

CBD also helps control the activity and development of white blood cells that respond when the body is exposed to allergens according to a 2009 study. Which is another reason why it may be an effective therapy for seasonal allergies. In addition, CBD has been reported to prevent the blocking of airways and nasal congestion that typically results in coughing and breathing problems.

Another study published in 2014 found that A-Pinene, a terpene, was found to be a promising anti-allergic agent. A-Pinene is characterized by a powerful pine and sage aroma that demonstrated a decrease in some symptoms of allergic rhinitis in mice. This research suggests it may be useful in the clinical management of allergic rhinitis, therefore the ability to moderate the unbearable allergy season. Pinene may also help additional symptoms of allergies since it serves as an anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator.

You can use CBD oil along with or instead of traditional allergy therapies. As always, consulting with a medical professional is recommended; however Realm of Caring has resources such as this CBD dosage explainer to help you get started in this process. There is a lot to consider when starting cannabinoid therapy and a Realm of Caring care specialist is here to help with your questions. Contact us today by calling (719) 347-5400 or by emailing info@realmofcaring.org.

Disclaimer

The Realm of Caring Foundation specifically invokes the first amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Realm of Caring always recommends when and wherever possible that licensed local healthcare professionals be consulted.

The Realm of Caring Foundation is an independent nonprofit with its own governing board. We do not produce or sell cannabinoid products, nor do we receive funds from the sale of other company’s products.

With the start of the new year, several bills are expected to be introduced by Congress in the name of cannabis legislation and reform. Two congressional bills have, in fact, already been filed but Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL). The first introduced bill is identical to the previously proposed, The Marijuana 1-to-3 Act of 2019. This measure would reschedule Marijuana to a Schedule III with the goal to increase research on the therapeutic effects. The second filed legislation is The Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act, to “prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from denying a veteran benefits due to the use of medical marijuana in states where the substance is legal.” 

These introduced bills show promise, but advocates are looking for more change in terms of cannabis reform, especially considering that the Democrats now have control of both the House and the Senate. Last year the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act was introduced to federally legalize marijuana. While this passed through the House it did not pass the Senate. To speak to the re-approach of the bill, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) stated on his Twitter on February 1st, “We look forward to working with the Senate to refine the bill, advance its core criminal justice and restorative justice provisions, and end the failed federal prohibition of cannabis once and for all.” 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has stated that cannabis reform is a priority for 2021. On February 1st he announced on Twitter that “The War on Drugs has been a war on people, and particularly people of color. Ending the federal marijuana prohibition is necessary to right the wrongs of this failed war.” Schumer is working alongside Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) to release draft legislation in the coming weeks, detailing the proposed policy change at a federal level. Their released, joint statement shows promise for “comprehensive reform to ensure restorative justice, protect public health and implement responsible taxes and regulations.”

Realm of Caring Foundation (RoC), is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was established by parents in 2013 to support families who were out of medical options. By creating educational resources, conducting research, and assisting families with data-rich answers to their questions, RoC continues to be a leader in the cannabinoid (cannabis/hemp) field. RoC’s no-cost Care Team has served more than 65,000 clients worldwide and supports a network of over 2,000 medical professionals. To learn more about participating or to donate to this cause, visit www.realmofcaring.org or call 1-888-210-3772.